#91 cycl → circle

Quick Summary

The Greek root word cycl means “circle.” This Greek root is the word origin of a number of English vocabulary words, including unicycle, recycle, and Cyclops. Perhaps the easiest way to remember that the Greek root word cycl means “circle” is through the word bicycle, which possesses two “circles” in the form of wheels.

From Membean

Ingredient Memlet: cyclic

A cyclic occurrence is like a “circle” because it goes round and round, never ceasing and always coming back again.

Recycling That Circle—Again!

The root word cycl means “circle.” Today we will cycle through a number of examples that use the Greek root word cycl.

The wheel, which is a “circle,” was one of the greatest inventions of all time. Cyclists are fond of using self-powered vehicles that use such rubbery and metallic “circles.” Consider the unicycle, which contains one such “circle,” the bicycle, which has two “circles,” and the tricycle, which has three. Then, of course, there is the motorcycle, whose “circles” or wheels are powered by engines so that a motorcyclist doesn’t have to pedal.

The cycle of the seasons forms a “circle” running from winter through fall, and back to winter again, forming one great natural “circle.” The idea behind recycling is the “circling” of a product back to its original form in order to be used once again; for example, the plastic that forms a bottle can be “circled” back into yet another bottle.

“Circles” can sometimes possess great energy or power, whether man-made or not. Consider, for example, that the most powerful of cyclones, better known as hurricanes, have a “circular” shape. A cyclotron is a “circular” apparatus that whizzes along atomic particles in a “circle,” which helps to determine the properties or physics of these particles.

The encyclopedia was so named because it was thought to contain the general “circle” of knowledge that all children should know. For instance, in most encyclopedias there would be an entry for the Cyclops, that giant of Greek mythology that had one big eye in the shape of, you guessed it, a “circle.” Of course, there was more than one Cyclops, the plural of which is Cyclopes. Note that there is no such creature, mythological or otherwise, as a Cyclop!

I hope that we have cycled through enough words today to help you remember that the Greek root word cycl means “circle.” Now go take a nice ride on your bicycle and enjoy the day!

cyclist: one who pedals vehicles with “circles” as wheels

unicycle: one-wheeled or “circled” vehicle

bicycle: two-wheeled or “circled” vehicle

tricycle: three-wheeled or “circled” vehicle

motorcycle: motorized vehicle with two wheels or “circles”

cycle: a period of events which “circle” back to an original state

recycle: to “circle” back again

cyclone: great “circular” storm

cyclotron: an instrument used by physicists that accelerate particles in a “circle”